Stoneware
Description
Stoneware is a type of pottery fired at high temperatures (2000oF). The difference between ceramics and pottery is that pottery only uses clay, while ceramics can use other materials to change its properties. The high firing temperature makes the stoneware water-resistant and non-porous because the glaze turns into glass, which allows the pottery to be sealed from the environment. Stoneware came from the need to seal earthenware from the environment, to protect the food that needed to be stored within the pot. Stoneware can be made with any color of clay unlike porcelain which needs to be white clay, allowing the designer to create more varied designs. Stoneware is very durable making it a very versatile material, it is commonly used for tile and cookware. Unlike many other types of ceramics stoneware can withstand the high heat of microwave and dishwasher. Stoneware pottery can be made using various techniques like molding, slipcasting, and wheel throwing. Slipcasting and molding are ways stoneware can be mass-produced, allowing for more intricate designs that wouldn't be possible using the wheel-throwing method.
Environmental Impact
Stoneware along with any other ceramic is not inherently environmentally friendly. This is a mined material that needs to be shipped across the world and fired to create the final product. Every industry has environmental issues along the way. There are ways to produce stoneware in a more environmentally friendly way. This can be done using renewable sourced green energy with an electric kiln rather than a gas kiln. Restrict the use of toxic glazes and use green glazes instead. Stoneware cannot be recycled but due to its high strength these products last a very long time with proper care, so reusing the stoneware in some capacity is recommended by many recycling companies.
Interior Uses
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Hand-Thrown - Hand-throwing is a common technique artists will use to create personalized stoneware. This method of production shouldn’t have any effect on the quality of the stoneware.
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Teapot - Stoneware is a great material for making teapots because it can safely withstand high temperatures and is water resistant due to the high firing temperature.
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Floor Tile - Stoneware is a great material to use for floor tile, the tile is very durable and moisture resistant which makes it a great material to use for flooring in very humid climates.
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Stone Tile - The tile created from stoneware can take many different shapes and sizes. This example shows how the tile can be used to mimic the look of real stone while maintaining the positive traits of stoneware.
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Colored Tile - Stoneware can be finished in any color. Glaze is added before the tile gets fired to add the specific color. After that, it will have the texture of the dried glaze.
Pottery
Stoneware is a great type of material to use for pottery. Throughout history, stoneware pottery has been used to keep moisture out of the container preserving food better than most other pottery types. Stoneware pottery is also incredibly durable making it an ideal material for high-use products. In a modern setting, stoneware can withstand the high heat put off by a microwave making it ideal for cooking purposes.
ASTM C97, C170, C650, C482-20